65/2.20. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4494 — Turning Toward the Qibla at Quba
"And from wheresoever you start forth (for prayers), turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid-al-Harãm (at Makkah), and wheresoever you are, turn your face towards it [when you pray)]..." (V.2:150)
Hadith About Facing the Kaaba During Fajr at Quba
Sahih Bukhari : 4494
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4494
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ بَيْنَمَا النَّاسُ فِي صَلاَةِ الصُّبْحِ بِقُبَاءٍ إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ آتٍ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّيْلَةَ، وَقَدْ أُمِرَ أَنْ يَسْتَقْبِلَ الْكَعْبَةَ، فَاسْتَقْبِلُوهَا. وَكَانَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ إِلَى الشَّأْمِ فَاسْتَدَارُوا إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ.
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
While some people were offering Fajr prayer at Quba mosque, someone came to them and said, "Qur'anic literature" has been revealed to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) tonight, and he has been ordered to face the Ka`ba (of Mecca) so you too, should turn your faces towards it. Their faces were then towards Sham (Jerusalem), so they turned towards the Qibla (i.e. Ka`ba of Mecca).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4494In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 21USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 21
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4494
This hadith about facing the Kaaba during Fajr at Quba is another narration of the same central event. The people were praying Salat al-Subh at Quba when someone came and said that revelation had come to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم that night, and he had been ordered to face the Kaaba. Their faces were toward Sham, so they turned toward the Qibla. The wording keeps the lesson very clear. Prayer direction is part of worship, and worship follows what Allah reveals to His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. The people did not argue in the report. They accepted the news and turned toward the Kaaba in prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- The people were offering Fajr at Quba when the news arrived.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had been ordered to face the Kaaba.
- They turned from Sham toward the Qibla.
- The hadith shows accepting revealed guidance in worship.
